also today, the commerce department reported retail sales jumped 0.9% in august. that's the largest increase since february. the gains come as consumers are spending more on cars and gasoline. the report showed that sales at different retailers were mixed and suggested only a modest increase in consumer spending this quarter. today's news comes just a day after the federal reserve stepped in once again to revive the economy, and ben bernanke's promise to help main street. how will main street americans do under q.e.3? joining us to answer that, robert brusca, chief economist at his own firm, fact and opinion economics. hi, bob. >> hi, susie. >> susan: all right, so, chairman bernanke says this latest round of stimulus is a-- to quote his words-- a main street policy. is it really? >> well, i think it has the focus on main street. i think the objective is to help main street. but it doesn't really work to help main street first. it's really going to work by trickle down. it's anything to work through wall street. it's going to work through high-income people becaus